We're already in July, baseball fans.

That means we're about halfway through this regular season, games are becoming more and more critical, and the trade deadline is approaching. Multiple teams have to make deals before this year's MLB trade deadline for numerous reasons.

Here are five teams that should be busy before the trade deadline.

1. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox won't be making the playoffs this year, but they have make moves for the futures. They either have to build around ace Chris Sale or trade him for the bank. MLB experts are split on the "trade Sale" argument because he is so good, but the White Sox aren't benefiting in the win column. The White Sox rank dead last in runs scored this year, and surprisingly they're 22nd in team pitching. If not Sale, then pitcher Jeff Samardzija could still make for good trade bait. One can't help but think the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox could make a good trade partner this year. Maybe involving Hanley Ramirez?

2. New York Mets

The Mets are presently in second place in the National League East behind the Washington Nationals, but they need some more offense. The Mets offense ranks 27th in the league in runs scored. Rumors have circulated that the Mets could acquire Starlin Castro from the Chicago Cubs. Castro won't hit many home runs, but he gets on base and he did make the All-Star game last season. Bartolo Colón may be 42 years old, but he's still pitching at a high level, and has trade value.

3. Chicago Cubs

From the south side of Chicago to the north side. The Cubs are hanging afloat in the National League Central but are now in third place behind the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals. The Cubs batting has gone from below average to terrible. They rank 22nd in runs scored, 27th in batting average, and 27th in hits. As crazy as it may sound, trading for Ryan Howard (who actually leads the Philadelphia Phillies in home runs) might not be such a bad idea. Howard is a strikeout machine, but he can add some power to the Cubs rotation. He also has just one more left on his contract.

4. Tampa Bay Rays

The American League East has been the most exciting division this year. The New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays are all separated by just one win. Unfortunately for the Rays, they've lost eight of their last 10 games. They need to add another bat in Tampa, as the Rays rank 22nd in runs scored this season. Could Troy Tulowitzki be on the trade block seeing as the Colorado Rockies are a dismal 35-47? Tulowitzki will cost a lot, but the Rays could use his .321 batting average going forward.

5. Boston Red Sox

As bad as things have looked in Beantown, the Red Sox still aren't out of this just yet. The Red Sox are only four games back of the Rays having won seven of their last 10 games. This is all despite having the third worst pitching staff in all of baseball. Is Justin Verlander worth the risk? Probably not. Little too costly. They could, however, make a call to the Cincinnati Reds for Johnny Cueto, who is in the final year of his contract. The 29-year-old Dominican pitcher routinely finishes near the top in ERA and innings pitched. Oh, and he wouldn't have to bat anymore.

The MLB trade deadline is Friday, July 31.

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